INTERVIEW: Elevator Fight

Elevator Fight’s rise to prominence is a testament to how good they are as a band, not how famous it’s lead singer is (if you don’t know who Zoe Kravitz or her parents are, it’s ok…she’d probably prefer it that way). In anticipation of their multi-city tour with J*Davey, they took some time out of their schedule to answer a few questions about growth, change, and the end of the world as we know it.

Elevator Fight performed in DC 2 years ago and did an interview with The Couch Sessions in front of Bohemian Caverns on U Street. What has changed for you guys between then and now? How have you all grown as a band?

We’ve come in and out of hibernation sporadically to play small shows/tours but for the most part we’ve been working on our new sound, trying to figure out how to put the ideas in our heads into fruition. We’re a four piece now and as a result, the sound is a lot more stripped down and raw. We’re all older, (obviously) and have experienced a bunch of things together and separately and travelled around a good amount and i think the music reflects that.

You guys have performed at various types of venues throughout the country. Do you prefer playing bigger stages like SXSW and The Roots Picnic, or do you prefer playing in more intimate venues?

Bigger shows can be good for everyone, but at the end of the day smaller, intimate spots are always more fun. Everybody’s on the same level, there’s no disconnect, it’s easier to get close and rowdy with the audience. Sometimes people get hit with guitars and stuff, but it seems to be part of the experience.

What’s your favorite venue/city to perform in so far?

Every city we’ve played in has is positives and negatives. Chicago’s Double Door was awesome, all of New York is usually great. How much of a role does Zoe’s fame play in the success/notoriety of the band?

Beyond a few blogs, i don’t really know. We’ve been friends and a band for a long time now, so that’s not even really an issue or something we talk about. All we want to do is play rowdy shows, get wild and play for as many people as possible.

What is the sound and subject matter of your debut album? When will it be released?

Our album is called Post-Empire, and it’s named after an article Bret Easton Ellis wrote about Charlie Sheen. We recorded and mixed it in a marathon seven days in late March. There are a few songs about people who are internet famous and how weird that is, a few songs about people we used to date, and a few songs about the end of the world. It’s going to be out before the end of the year, and we’ve got a few songs from it up here: www.elevatorfight.bandcamp.com.